National coalition calls on EPA to regulate cryptomining, citing energy reliability and climate impacts

A national advocacy group is calling on the federal government to regulate proof-of-work cryptomining, citing its outsized energy consumption, environmental damage, and economic strain on local communities.

The National Coalition Against Cryptomining, a grassroots organization of advocates and experts, hosted a virtual press conference today, emphasizing the urgent need for federal oversight. The coalition also sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the agency to address what they call a “harmful and unchecked” industry.

The call for regulation comes as states across the U.S. enact “right-to-mine” laws that grant cryptominers special protections, despite mounting concerns over excessive water usage, air pollution, noise pollution, and electronic waste. Cryptomining accounts for up to 2.3% of total U.S. energy usage, leading to an estimated $1 billion increase in costs to consumers while putting additional strain on energy grids.

“The cryptomining industry is spreading like a cancer across the country, leaving many communities with similar stories like ours – of harm to their health, their economy, their environment, and the climate,” said Yvonne Taylor, Vice President of Seneca Lake Guardian. “We’re fighting against a nefarious industry with as much influence and capital as the pharmaceutical industry. Communities like mine don’t have that kind of lobbying power, but we’re here today to spread the message that despite the cryptomining industry’s aggressive campaign, it is time for us to put the public wellbeing ahead of corporate profits.”

Some state and local governments have already taken steps to limit cryptomining operations. New York implemented a moratorium on new and renewed permits for fossil fuel-powered cryptomining. Several counties in Georgia have banned cryptomining outright, Arkansas has limited its expansion, and Texas, a major cryptomining hub, has introduced reporting requirements to track electricity consumption. The National Coalition Against Cryptomining is urging the EPA to follow suit by holding cryptomining companies accountable for their environmental impact.

“Cryptomining is wreaking havoc on communities across Texas – destabilizing our power grid, wasting water, and driving up electricity costs for everyday Texans, all while pocketing massive subsidies,” said Jackie Sawicky, Founder of the Texas Coalition Against Cryptomining. “This industry operates like an unregulated digital casino that most of us don’t even play in, yet we’re all paying the price. The federal government must step in before more communities suffer the same fate.”

Across the country, communities are already feeling the consequences of unregulated cryptomining operations. In North Tonawanda, New York, residents have endured extreme noise pollution and environmental degradation due to the Digihost cryptomine. In Granbury, Texas, families suffer from sleep deprivation and migraines caused by the constant hum of nearby cryptomining operations. In rural Georgia, local governments have faced pushback from residents alarmed by cryptomining’s massive energy demands and minimal economic benefits.

“I’ve seen firsthand how cryptomining disrupts communities,” said Cyndie Roberson, co-founder of Cherokee County Citizens Against Cryptomining. “The relentless noise, pollution, and strain on resources forced my family to leave our dream home behind. Residents across the country are standing up to fight back, but without federal oversight, we are left to fend for ourselves against billion-dollar corporations. It’s time for the EPA to put people over corporate profits and rein in this reckless industry.”

The coalition argues that while some states have taken steps to regulate cryptomining, the lack of a national policy leaves communities vulnerable. They are calling on the EPA to establish federal oversight to curb cryptomining’s environmental and economic impacts, emphasizing that public health should take priority over corporate interests.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Proof-of-work cryptomining is harmful for our environment, our energy, and our economy – and we’re going to tell you why! Join us this Thursday, February 27th at 12:30 PM ET to learn about proof-of-work crypto and its devastating impacts on our communities, and why we’re sending a letter to the EPA urging them to take action. You can register at the link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cWE8HlKlRxy7v7S5FgX2Pg

Sponsored by the National Coalition Against Cryptomining

Wondering why your electric bill is so high? Crypto could be the reason.

“Crypto mines have raised electricity rates for households while receiving big discounts and subsidies.

The explosive growth of proof-of-work crypto mining in the U.S. has increased local air, water, and noise pollution, strained local electric grids, raised electricity rates for residents, and increased climate pollution.

This has led some states that initially welcomed energy-intensive proof-of-work crypto mining to reconsider tax breaks and incentives that encouraged massive facilities in their communities.

But many states, counties, and utility companies continue to hand out significant discounts on electricity to multimillion dollar crypto mining companies. Crypto mines often pay a fraction of other industrial or commercial companies even as they fail to provide promised jobs and crypto mines’ noise, air, and water pollution harm host communities. Earthjustice attorneys analyzed company and utility filings in order to compare average electricity rates to the discounted rates of specific crypto mining companies in five states.”

NY Daily News: New York’s Largest Landfill Must Close

https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/02/21/new-yorks-biggest-landfill-must-close/

Free to read if you submit your email.

Update : NOW 450!!! emails sent! Keep sending and sharing !!!

Dear Friends,

Please take two seconds to complete this easy petition to send a message to the Seneca Falls Town Board before March 4th, and then share the link widely on social media and with your contacts. You do NOT need to be a resident of Seneca Falls to send a message: this has statewide implications and therefore concerns everyone.

The Board will be voting on whether or not to issue a local operating permit to the Seneca Meadows Landfill and enter into an agreement with the landfill to accept money, assuming that the landfill will continue operating through 2040 - and we must urge them to listen to the public, not make deals with this out of state Texas owned waste corporation with only one thing at heart: profit at our expense.

Then please mark your calendar to show up on March 4th to speak at the Seneca Falls Town Board meeting, 6:00 pm, Seneca Falls Community Center, 35 Water Street, Seneca Falls, NY.

We're here to make this easy for you to weigh in and share, and as always we appreciate your involvement: we're in this together.